Members of the oldest Greek-lettered sorority founded and incorporated by African-American women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Southeastern Region, recently joined forces to present a sizeable contribution to the scholarship efforts of Alabama A&M University (AAMU).
A check in the amount of $100,000 was presented to AAMU President Andrew Hugine, Jr., during the institution’s 139th Founder’s Day observance and class reunion celebration. Adrienne P-K Washington, 24th southeastern regional director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., presented the check to support scholarships at AAMU in tribute to the late Harriet Terry, a long-time AAMU faculty member who was also among the founders of the prestigious Sorority.
“This remarkable gift definitely raises the bar,” said Dr. Hugine. “It is indeed a shining example of the type of commitment that must be undertaken to ensure that the legacies of the founders of A&M and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority continue.”
“Their gift demonstrates their commitment of service to human kind,” continued Hugine.
“We do everything in our power at AAMU to keep the costs associated with attaining a quality education affordable,” commented Archie Tucker II, interim vice president for marketing, communications and advancement, the University’s chief fundraising division. “The importance of scholarships cannot be overstated. We are grateful to the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization for its vision, tenacity and foresight.”
In addition to the $100,000 scholarship donation, the Sorority presented $5,000 to support the Legacy Lake project spearheaded by AAMU First Lady Abbiegail Hugine. The Legacy Lake initiative is a visible and lasting tribute to AAMU first ladies, women whose contributions have often not been noted. The Lake also serves as a symbol of perpetual honor to spouses of future University presidents.
AKA South Eastern Regional Director Washington stated that the idea of making a significant gift to AAMU came into being when she first assumed her office in July 2010. The notion developed into a full-fledged initiative after the region full funded the existing requirements of the organization’s Education Advancement Foundation. Honoring Harriet Terry at AAMU with an endowed scholarship was appropriate since Terry was the only one of the original founders who worked and served extensively in the Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi region. And, while AAMU students will be assisted by the Harriet Terry scholarship, students enrolling at AAMU will also be eligible to apply for other resources through the regional AKA organization, said Washington.
When the Sylacauga, Ala., native was asked what ran through her mind during the very moment that she announced the $100,000 gift, Washington said, “We (a closely knit group of sorors) went through our point of elation some three weeks earlier—when we were reviewing the budget to see if we had made it.”
The South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., encompasses the states of Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. It is comprised of 104 chapters (49 undergraduate and 55 graduate chapters). Regional Director Adrienne P-K Washington resides in Huntsville, Ala., the site of the organization’s most recent convention.
AAMU President Andrew and First Lady Abbiegail Hugine accepted the check during thunderous applause and a standing ovation from students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the University.
Source: Jerome Saintjones, Alabama A&M University
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